[2011-04-09 23:48:22] <AdventFalls> = =
[23:48:44] <AdventFalls> Monday, approaching lunch time. D&P Garage.
[23:49:20] <AdventFalls> Yukari Arukama finished securing her cargo, cricking her neck as she looked the Machine Kivaa one last time. "Everything looks good, good..."
[23:52:06] <AdventFalls> After a few moments, she hopped on with a helmet, revved up, and roared out of JUNKER.

[23:56:54] <Axel_Wildfire> - and almost straight into Akebara, who had been hovering out there seemingly waiting for her; she has to throw herself aside to avoid Yukari running her over. Thankfully she's back in her casual trackpants and Tapout hoodie, so it's not like her good clothes get ruined as they tear a little on the asphalt, but it's still annoying. "... I'm not sure I deserved that."

[23:57:50] <AdventFalls> Yukari winced behind the helmet. "Je- Ake, you shouldn't have been hovering like that! I could've hurt you!"

[2011-04-10 00:02:08] <Axel_Wildfire> She pushes herself up, glad that she elected to wear fingerless gloves; they saved her from cutting her palms when she threw herself sideways. She does look a lot healthier than last night, though. "I know, I'm sorry. Can we talk?"

[00:02:29] <AdventFalls> "Hop on. I'm en route for a quick meeting."

[00:05:22] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake does so, wrapping her arms tightly around Yukari's waist from behind and resting her cheek against the woman's back. "I hate bikes." The words are sullen, but there's a little uplift that suggests she's trying to have fun.

[00:06:09] <AdventFalls> "It's part of being a Rider. Unless you're RX. Or.... the other RX."

[00:10:04] <Axel_Wildfire> "I had a bad experience." she squeezes a little. "... did you think about what I asked?"

[00:11:15] <AdventFalls> Yukari sighed. "Look. I promised you an answer by the time All-Riders ended. I.... I don't like the idea, but I'm not completely opposed if you're willing. Just... please. More time."

[00:12:03] <Axel_Wildfire> "Alright." There's a little motion that could be a nod.

[00:15:10] <AdventFalls> After a few minutes, they pulled up outside of a bakery. "Hop on off. This shouldn't take too long."

[00:16:33] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake does so, frowning. "'cha doing?"

[00:17:36] <AdventFalls> "Trying something out. Seeing if the old, *old* school method is what's best. ....I just got to thinking."
[00:18:01] <AdventFalls> She took the suitcase off of the back of the Kivaa, took off the helmet, and walked in.

[00:19:50] <Axel_Wildfire> "Right..." Ake follows her, curious.

[00:23:10] <AdventFalls> Their noses were immediately assaulted by the smells of breads freshly baked, with a counter dedicated to taking orders (and the occasional sandwich). Scattered across the rooms were tables of decent stock, in groups to watch television. Today, they were showing a toku program.

[00:24:52] <Axel_Wildfire> "Oh god why would you put that on the air when you could just poke your nose outdoors." There's a slow beat. "Wait, isn't that *racist* to have random kaijin running around and...?"

[00:25:28] <AdventFalls> Yukari stared at Ake.

[00:25:53] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake stares back. "What?"

[00:26:59] <ShikiVerloren> One man sitting at a table closest to the TV seemed to be... exceptionally into the program, shouting out cheers for the hero. Apparently, this seemed to be a regular occurance, as no one in the bakery seemed to be objecting to the loud cheers that drowned out everyone else talking whenever he opened his mouth. His hair was spiked backward in an odd, and slightly physics-defying style.

[00:27:48] <AdventFalls> Yukari turned to look at the man, pulled out a picture, looked at it, looked at the man, back at the picture, and pocketed it. "And here I thought they CGI'd that shit onto the photo."

[00:28:38] <Axel_Wildfire> "There are few things you can't do with gel."

[00:31:17] <AdventFalls> "I'll be right back." She approached the man from behind. "Masaki Shinohara?"

[00:33:28] <ShikiVerloren> "Yes?" His voice was loud even when normally talking, still cutting through any other chatter in the room. "Is there something you want of me?"

[00:33:53] <AdventFalls> "I'd like to talk to you for a moment. May I take a seat?"

[00:34:01] <Axel_Wildfire> "A volume knob." Ake mutters quietly to herself, hovering near Yukari.

[00:35:35] <ShikiVerloren> He nods, turning around to look at at her. "Of course! Feel free to enjoy the program while you're at it!" There's a slight pause. "But, what could someone like you want with me?"

[00:36:04] <AdventFalls> She looked up at the program, then back at Masaki. "I take it you're a big fan of these kinds of shows."

[00:36:48] <ShikiVerloren> "Of course! I know all there is to know about riders! Except how they work. That's my assistant's job."

[00:37:06] <AdventFalls> "Your assistant?"

[00:38:58] <ShikiVerloren> "She's really into weird techy stuff like how Riders work. Since I, too, am a rider enthusiast, we became close friends even though our areas of expertise are quite different!"

[00:39:16] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake pinches the bridge of her nose.

[00:39:24] <AdventFalls> "...I see. I trust you know who I am?"

[00:41:27] <ShikiVerloren> "You do look familiar, but I can't say I can recall the name." He says. "I'm most sorry, would you mind introducing yourself?" His expression doesn't change from the cheerful grin.

[00:41:50] <AdventFalls> "Yukari Arukama. President of Development and Pioneer."

[00:43:49] <ShikiVerloren> His face instantly changes from the grin to one of complete shock, and he half jumps back in an overexaggerated gesture. "W-What?! For real?! THE Arukuma has something to ask of me?!"

[00:44:10] <Axel_Wildfire> "No, she's an alternate dimension clone." Ake deadpans from behind Yukari.

[00:44:55] <ShikiVerloren> "Don't even joke about that young lady." He reprimands her. "I hear alternate dimension clones can be quite dangerous."

[00:45:27] <AdventFalls> "Quite. Quite. It's good to see our intel on you is accurate, Masaki. So.... I'd like to talk shop for a moment."

[00:46:00] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake suddenly clicks. "Oh god, Yukari, this isn't *that* plan."

[00:46:15] <AdventFalls> Yukari turned around and raised an eyebrow.

[00:46:30] <Axel_Wildfire> "You know what I'm talking about."

[00:47:23] <AdventFalls> She turned back to Masaki. "You up for talking shop?"

[00:47:48] <Axel_Wildfire> "I am so glad I quit JUNKER right now." Ake mutters, shaking her head.

[00:48:43] <ShikiVerloren> "I'm not exactly sure what that means, but if there's anything you wish to speak to me about, I am more than willing to oblige!" He says, already back to his confident grin.

[00:50:06] <AdventFalls> She put a suitcase on the table. "I'm here to make you an offer, Masaki Shinohara. An offer that I don't make lightly."

[00:50:16] <Axel_Wildfire> "Oh fuck me you're really doing it."

[00:54:59] <ShikiVerloren> "I'm listening, Miss Arukuma." His right hand clenches up, as if he's already anticipated what's going to happen.

[00:55:27] <AdventFalls> "How would you like to be a Kamen Rider?"

[00:56:31] <ShikiVerloren> "You have NO idea how much!" What little volume control on his voice there was goes out the window, speaking over the TV that had been specifically set louder to -avoid- that.

[00:56:40] <AdventFalls> "Shhh. Please."

[00:57:01] <ShikiVerloren> He coughs, and quiets down. "Excuse me."

[00:59:55] <AdventFalls> "Now." She opened the briefcase, revealing a golden rectangle with two circles. "I need to explain this one before you assume anything."

[01:01:00] <Axel_Wildfire> More quiet muttering up the back. "I'll say you do..."

[01:03:32] <ShikiVerloren> "Black R-, no, no, that's a childish mistake. This is it's weaker successor gear, Masked Rider, isn't it?"

[01:04:35] <AdventFalls> "It's not quite a successor, but yes. It is Masked Rider."
[01:05:40] <AdventFalls> "When Decade brought the worlds together during the Rider War, he ended up.... absorbing a couple of other world's characteristics. Including a couple of belts very similar to the Showa Gears we know. This is the only Gear from that world we've managed to find."

[01:07:23] <ShikiVerloren> "Woah... a belt from beyond the stars, brought to me... this is even more amazing than the Black RX itself! I promise you, you won't regret this!" He grins, looking extremely pleased.

[01:07:53] <AdventFalls> "So you accept?"

[01:09:04] <ShikiVerloren> "Of course! Who in their right mind would turn down an oppertunity like this!"

[01:09:43] <AdventFalls> "You'd be surprised. Now... you're not going to be on D&P's payroll. It's... complicated, but you'll be operating on your own. Other Riders may help, but you are a free man."

[01:11:01] <ShikiVerloren> "Even better! No offense, ma'am, but riders are meant to be free from corperate ties. They were created for heroes, not for exploitation."

[01:11:41] <AdventFalls> "....None taken."

[01:12:54] <ShikiVerloren> He grins. "It's good to know that someone else understands! Now, when can I get started?"

[01:14:15] <AdventFalls> "As soon as you say yes."

[01:14:24] <ShikiVerloren> "YES!"

[01:14:30] <AdventFalls> "I just need to walk you through the henshin."
[01:18:32] <AdventFalls> "Put on the belt."

[01:20:16] <ShikiVerloren> He does so instantly.

[01:20:50] <AdventFalls> "Now. The belt is keyed into a code phrase. It's 'Ectophase, Activate!'"

[01:21:50] <ShikiVerloren> "Is there anything else, or can I change things around so long as I say those two words?"

[01:22:19] <AdventFalls> "...It just has to be those two words. Now, there are two form changes- Super Blue, and Super Gold. You'll unlock those the more you use MR."

[01:22:36] <Axel_Wildfire> "In the middle of the store, Yukari?"

[01:23:20] <AdventFalls> "Not in the middle of the store, just warming him up."

[01:25:20] <ShikiVerloren> "AL...RIGHT! A power from beyond the stars is in my hand! It's endless call tells me to defeat evil! See this! The one! *pose* The only! *pose* THE MASKED RIDER! *pose* Ectophase, ACTIVATE!"

[01:26:17] <AdventFalls> "...Oh god not in the middle of the store." She grimaced as he began the henshin.

[01:26:39] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake facepalms. "Motherfucker."

[01:30:22] <ShikiVerloren> He henshins, forming the armor and racing out the front door. "Cycle, to me!" His motorcycle, parked a bit away, starts up and pulls out, racing toward him, which he jumps onto and mounts while it's moving, and is gone from sight in the blink of an eye, the roar of the bike fading into the distance.

[01:30:56] <AdventFalls> "...I should've told him we had the Combat Chopper and Magno on standby."

[01:31:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "This was a stupid idea, Yukari." she sighs and starts walking to the door.

[01:31:27] <AdventFalls> Yukari went to the door as well. "Just let me explain, will you."

[01:31:55] <Axel_Wildfire> "It better be fuckin' good..." Ake mutters as she steps out.

[01:32:03] <AdventFalls> "I've been thinking about.... about letting there be Riders that aren't beholden to our interests. To corporations."

[01:34:09] <Axel_Wildfire> "So in other words, what Wyll was going on about."

[01:35:09] <AdventFalls> She nodded. "As well as another Rider I encountered today. ...Somehow, there are now two Strongers. I think."

[01:36:10] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake frowns. "What?"

[01:37:51] <AdventFalls> "There are two Strongers now. This one was sleek, it wasn't Sae. ....And lectured me on how I should never henshin again, that I was a disgrace to the name Kamen Rider."

[01:39:53] <Axel_Wildfire> She turns and just hugs Yukari gently. "That's not true."

[01:40:44] <AdventFalls> "...I know. But.... it made me think about letting there be more free Riders out there. So... I dug up the old plan we had for luring out Wyll, and found someone we considered too competent for the original plan."

[01:43:45] <Axel_Wildfire> "... you must have had a lot of people who were really fuckin' incompetent on that list, Yukari."

[01:46:17] <AdventFalls> "You have *no* idea."
[01:46:42] <AdventFalls> "I'm... actually quite thankful we didn't go through with our Masked Rider candidate. Guy was a fucking nutjob."

[01:47:49] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake squeezes her gently, trying to be comforting. "... do you want me to follow after this guy and make sure he's alright?"

[01:48:14] <AdventFalls> "..Please do. Make sure he doesn't crash All-Riders and that he... you know. Survives his first week."

[01:49:09] <Axel_Wildfire> "I still think this is stupid, by the way." she flicks Yukari's nose gently.

[01:49:42] <AdventFalls> Yukari chuckled. "Stupid, maybe. No one ever said intelligence was an entry requirement to being a Kamen Rider."

[01:50:06] <Axel_Wildfire> "Promise me you will *never* say that in front of Wyll."

[01:50:29] <AdventFalls> "I won't. Decency *is* a requirement in my book."

[01:52:38] <Axel_Wildfire> "No, I mean, I don't want to endure *another* rant..."

[01:53:29] <AdventFalls> "I promise."

[01:54:16] <Axel_Wildfire> "Thank you." There's a hint of relief in her tone.

[01:54:34] <AdventFalls> "Now. Let's get going."

[01:55:09] <Axel_Wildfire> "... 'we'? Do you have *time* to look after this kid?"

[01:59:17] <AdventFalls> "Not much, not with All-Riders. I'm hoping that between you and the rest of JUNKER, you can keep an eye on him long enough for him not to need supervision."

[02:00:39] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake shifts, annoyed. "Damnit, I wanted to spend some more time there... but yeah, I'll make sure he doesn't get *killed*. I guess I can teach him."

[02:00:58] <AdventFalls> "Look. I'll have them pull shifts."
[02:01:21] <AdventFalls> "You'll have enough time to be there for the opening ceremony."

[02:03:06] <Axel_Wildfire> "It's fine, I'm not a part of JUNKER anyway so you shouldn't stick your neck out for me."

[02:03:24] <AdventFalls> "Part of JUNKER? No. Part of the family? Yes."

[02:05:18] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake groans. "Don't you start too!"

[02:05:40] <AdventFalls> "Besides, didn't you just say you wanted to spend some time at All-Riders?"

[02:09:09] <Axel_Wildfire> "Yeah, but..." she waves her hands a little. "It doesn't look good if you're abusing your rank for random civilians."

[02:09:42] <AdventFalls> "Riders look out for one another, Ake."

[02:10:39] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake smiles a little and looks away; it's an expression Yukari's seen Wyll wearing. "I'm no Rider."

[02:11:28] <AdventFalls> "Funny. You sure act like one." She started to put the helmet back on. "I'll see you at the opening."

[02:12:39] <Axel_Wildfire> She's busy putting on her Proto-DCD belt so she can actually hunt the new moron down. "Thank you."

[02:12:50] <AdventFalls> "Anytime."
[02:13:22] <AdventFalls> = =